Monday 29 September 2014

A 6th Birthday with Boxtrolls and Dragons and Barf

So, one of our younger children had their birthday at the weekend. It was always going to be hard and stressful, and we all knew it, although no-one said out loud. There were a lot of iffy tummies on Friday and Saturday - the atmosphere was more than a little tense. You simply can't escape the fact that his oldest sister should be there too, and we were all upset that she wasn't.

The day started well with a lie in until 9am for us, while a couple of the teenagers got up with the little ones, then croissants and chocolate brioche for breakfast.

4 year old hiding in wrapping paper
Wrapping paper is the best thing ever for 4 year old little brothers apparently.

Our birthday boy knows far too much about LEGO, and he had seen the Ninjago series and decided he knew exactly what he wanted - the white 4-headed Ultra Dragon who is formed when all 4 Ninjago dragons reach their full potential and come together. Errr, yeah, set 9450, the one that's long since discontinued.

Hexbug Nano Black Hole set
It wasn't ALL LEGO!

His Dad trawled ebay and found a second hand dragon for sale. It was ordered, arrived in time and was built to check for missing pieces late one night. My partner even went to the trouble of putting all of the pieces into numbered bags so that our young man had a chance of putting it together himself - it's an age 8-14 set.

LEGO 4 headed Ultra Dragon set 9450

It was well worth it. He was delighted and didn't care we had none of the accessories, it's totally the dragon he wanted. It was built before noon, and then we rounded up the teenagers and went out to collect 2 of his friends and head for the cinema to see The Boxtrolls.


The Boxtrolls is excellent. It struck me as a cross between Aardman's Wallace & Gromit, Tim Burton's animated movies and the fabulous animated film 9. It's secretly, and not so secretly, incredibly political. The story has people creating a market for a product that wasn't necessary, and using the media to convince the public of it's worth and necessity. The stop-motion animation is tongue-in-cheek and beautifully done, with amazing scenery and characters. It has peril, but it's very short-lived and it's moments before you are on the side of the 'monsters' yourself. It's a lovely film and everyone really enjoyed it.

After The Boxtrolls it all went a bit wrong. We were going to Nando's (partly at the request of the teenagers), but our birthday boy didn't want anything to eat and became really agitated. Then he was very sick - thankfully outside while having some fresh air with his Dad, and the street cleaners were lovely and really sympathetic. He was fine afterwards and all evening, and we assumed it was stress, but Sunday morning was lots more of the same. The saving grace is that it meant he did nothing else than play with his birthday LEGO - and did manage a smile for the camera.

Take the photo quick Mum, I'm going to be sick again!
His siblings gave him a Golden Ninjago Dragon 70503, and sitting quietly putting it together at his own pace, with a couple of nap and vomit breaks, really helped distract him.

LEGO 4 headed Ultra Dragon set 9450 and Golden Ninjago Dragon 70503

And as a consolation, he's feeling much better today, but gets 48 hours off school to play some more....and a parcel from Grandma and Grandad has made this morning great.

6 year old laughing at birthday card smiling
It's his favourite t-shirt (he picked it up from the clean washing pile this morning - honest!).
It's annoying he's been ill on his birthday, but more worrying because he's lost a lot of weight this last 6 weeks and didn't need to lose any more, so if anyone has any great ideas for building him back up, I'm more than happy to try them! We're on Nutella toast and a sneaky Ice Cream Sandwich this morning...

19 comments:

  1. Oh, what a shame he was poorly but, still, his gifts look great. Hopefully the bug will be gone soon. No real suggestions for weight gain but what about smoothies made with full fat milk and lots of fruit?

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    1. That sounds excellent. He adores fruit, and milkshake, so mily smoothies sound a great idea!

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  2. Such a shame he was poorly, but sounds like he (and you!) enjoyed the movie! I love that you managed to seek out a discontinued set to make his day!

    Maybe add beans and pulses to soups (if he'll eat them) to increase the calories?

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    1. He won't eat soup, but he will eat pasta in sauce and I add beans to that. I think if I puree them he'll eat a bit more substance.
      We had to find the set, he was really specific that was what he wanted and it was so worth it to see his face :) xx

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  3. Oh bless him, can't believe he is 6! Marmite on Toast is our cure all ills in this house x

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    1. He's only pecked at food today, but after the Nutella toast we did move on to jam toast! He's had 2 cups of milk and 2 Oreo's though, so I'm fairly happy :)

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  4. Happy Birthday - so sorry he was poorly for it. Pasta is our never fail food here - with thick cheesy sauces! x

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    1. He's good with tomato sauces, but he's really picky about creamy sauces - he only ate a tiny bit of Spaghetti Carbonara last night, but it was worth a shot, and everyoneelse liked it! Cheers Donna xx

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  5. I'm glad he's feeling a bit better today. No better suggestions for food other than lots of full fat milk and carbs x

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    1. I can get him to drink milk, so that's an avenue we're exploring more with milkshakesand smoothies. Thanks Angela x

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  6. Is it a problem getting him to eat at all, or is he just pecking? Do you have ensure or the equivalent over there? Those are high calorie and high protein, vitamin, all the essentials things. I know a few people with kids that don't eat much and they have to get them those.

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    1. Can't edit, but googled and it looks like you do, and the children's version too.

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    2. Thanks Sara. It looks like we can get Paediasure just to boost him up until he's eating whole meals again - much better suited than Complan or other adult versions x

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  7. Hope he is feeling better soon! No fun being unwell on your birthday although getting to stay at home and build Lego probably takes the edge off it?!

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    1. I think he really enjoyed himself Monday and Tuesday, so it definitely took the edge off!

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  8. It's always a shame feeling a bit poorly on your birthday but looks like he had lots of fun with those Lego sets. Mmmm Nutella toast sounds good!

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    1. He's loving his LEGO. I've never seen him 'play' so much, so it's kind of nice he had Monday and Tusday at home by himself and feeling much better xx

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  9. Bless him, other than the sickness it sounds like a great 6th birthday. I think lots of naughty treats are in order for the next few weeks, McDonalds, cakes, sweets - if you need anyone to come and take him out for treats just say the word and I'll be there :p We really should get our boys together, they sound like they would have loads in common!

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    1. I betthey would. They've met a couple of times now, but they wereboth too shy to really talk to each other. They're so close in age though! :)

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